A seasoned veteran in the hardwood manufacturing industry, Dwain spent his early career as President of LJ Smith Incorporated, one of the world’s leading producers of hardwood stair parts, from 1976 to 1994. 25 years later, he finds himself in familiar territory, trading oak ballusters and newel posts for solid slabs of walnut and ebonized maple. With the addition of his son, Phil, Dwain adds to his legacy in the hardwood business, operating on the same principles of high quality and excellent customer service.

While he’s not in the shop or spending time with his five children or eight grandchildren, Dwain and his wife enjoy relaxing at home in Northeastern Ohio with their dog, Elly.

It’s fair to say that Phil has been selling things since the time he could talk. Always hustling, always chasing the next deal, Phil cut his teeth in the car business, working his way up from used cars sales to General Manager of Germain Mercedes-Benz in Columbus, Ohio. But like his brother before him, he couldn’t resist the allure of the gorgeous wood slabs and the challenges and opportunities they presented, and joined the team in 2017 to head up the sales department. A self-proclaimed “people person”, Phil enjoys the everyday interactions with customers, the Created™ staff, and the network of sales reps he’s assembled throughout the US.

Phil lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and daughter and their three other “children”, who wear collars and bark when they want something. 

Mike came to us as a part time product specialist while attending Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. We will always remember Mike's first big day at our Columbus Showroom. He sold more in one day out of showroom than anyone had sold in the past two weeks. It's safe to say, we knew we found our man. We were fortunate enough to bring him on full time as our national sales manager after graduation and could not be any happier with his contribution. Mike prides himself on providing fantastic support to our commercial customers and reps, plus managing our Columbus showroom.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing basketball, sand volleyball, and the "occasional" whiskey drink.

Jessica’s list of skills and responsibilities is a long one at Created where she manages everything from the books to shipping to customer service. Her cool calm demeanor is an invaluable asset to the company, constantly being tested and honed by her two teenage boys. In her "free" time, she's usually busy keeping up with their sports schedules (and is no slouch in a number of sports herself), and is active in dog rescue.

Jessica lives with her family in Dover, Ohio.

The first time we met Solomon, it wasn't for a job interview, it was him visiting our showroom in downtown Columbus to indulge his passion for Art & Design. It wasn't until a year later that we found ourselves interviewing Solomon for our open Director of Design position, and we couldn't have been luckier to find him and ultimately hire him to take on this role. As an Alumni of Parsons School of Design, Solomon takes detail to the next level. Whether it's a simple dining table project, a completely custom reception desk design, Solomon always knocks it out of the park.

Much of Solomon's free time is spent with his wife and two daughters, but he also enjoys doing home improvement projects of his own.

Known as Arlin by very few, Hootie is a hopeless wood addict and only needed one look at Created’s raw slab inventory to be persuaded to head up the production team in charge of building anything and everything. A gifted problem-solver, Hootie’s attention to detail and perfectionist nature is ideally suited for the construction of Created’s one-of-a-kind pieces.

In his spare time, he spins extraordinary bowls from wood burls, plays an unhealthy amount of golf, and hunts mushrooms with his wife, Jen. (Don’t bother asking him for his favorite spots.)

Jerod, one of our longest-tenured team members, is a true master of his craft. From inside the spray booth, he carefully applies the finishing touches that bring each piece of furniture to life. It’s a delicate and highly skilled process that requires both precision and artistry—and Jerod delivers on both, every single time.

His attention to detail ensures that the natural beauty of the wood is enhanced, not hidden, and that each surface is protected to stand the test of time. The finishes he creates don’t just complete the piece—they elevate it. Jerod’s work is often the last step before our furniture leaves the shop, and without his expertise, the final product simply wouldn’t have the same level of craftsmanship and character that our customers have come to expect.

Samantha—known around here as “Sam”—is stepping into one of the most important roles in our shop, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on board. With a strong background in customer service from the optometry world, Sam brings a wealth of experience in providing thoughtful, attentive support.

Her ability to communicate clearly, solve problems efficiently, and build genuine relationships makes her a perfect fit for our team. Whether it’s answering questions, coordinating orders, or making sure every client feels taken care of, Sam approaches it all with professionalism and heart.

Meet Pete—our “Mister Do-It-All.” From one end of the shop to the other, Pete has a hand in just about everything, but his specialty lies in crafting many of the credenzas and casework pieces you’ll find in offices and homes across the country.

With an exceptional feel for the wood and a sharp eye for detail, Pete brings precision and craftsmanship to every project he touches. Whether he’s cutting, assembling, or fine-tuning the final product, his dedication to quality is evident in every piece.

Around here, if something needs to get done—and done right—Pete’s your guy.

As the newest member of our shop, Robert is quickly diving into the world of woodworking—and picking things up fast. He’s taken the lead in our shipping and crating department, a role that’s absolutely vital to our operation.

While the furniture we build is the heart of what we do, making sure it arrives in perfect condition is just as important. That’s where Robert comes in. With a growing understanding of the craft and a sharp attention to detail, he’s ensuring that each piece is carefully packed, protected, and ready for its journey.

After all, what good is a beautifully made table or cabinet if it doesn’t arrive in flawless condition? Robert’s work makes sure our craftsmanship reaches its destination just the way we intended—perfectly imperfect.

Meet Gus, our beloved shop dog, official door greeter, and morale booster! When he’s not on duty, you’ll find him carrying around his favorite stuffed beaver, "Beibs," or relaxing while watching football on the weekends. Gus also loves welcoming every delivery driver that comes through our doors with a friendly hello!